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Suburban LTZ vs Denali XL

Old 01-04-2012, 12:35 PM
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Default Suburban LTZ vs Denali XL

The Sub is 4wd, Denali is AWD, both 2008s. I know the Denali has the 6.2L/6spd auto vs the 'burb's 5.3L/4spd but I'm more trying to decide on the 4wd vs AWD. Is the AWD still a viscous transfer case and open front diff? Anybody share experience where they ended up with just one front wheel spinning?

And what about the 4spd vs 6spd? There's a 2009 'burb LTZ that I could go for but it doesn't have the NAV/rear cam and 2nd row bench that i'm looking for. But 2009 got the 6spd trans, and I could probably add the electronics for less than I could do the trans.

Appreciate the feedback.

Thanks,
Michael
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Old 01-04-2012, 12:43 PM
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price and miles would play big for me. Is towing a factor or not. If your going a little heavier then go the denali. The 5.3 will be better gas though
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Old 01-04-2012, 12:43 PM
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Here goes my real world experience. I had an escalade ext with AWD. I put 108,000 miles on it and never had any problems, it does however eat gas with the AWD always being engaged. It was good in the snow, and I live in Upstate NY.

I just bought a Avalanche LTZ. It has the 6 speed, it shifts very smooth and I love it. It also does great on gas compared to what I used to get on the escalade.

The Avalanche on the Highway tends to get 20-21 MPG and about 16 in Town.

The Escalade, no matter how I drove it got 13.5MPG.

Good Luck they are both great trucks and you can't go wrong.
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Old 01-04-2012, 12:45 PM
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By the way if you are looking to tow, I don't have any experience with the trucks. I tow the Top Gun with a Dually
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Old 01-04-2012, 01:04 PM
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Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.
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Old 01-04-2012, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by handfulz28
Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.
we dont have these but we have a jeeep which is that auto 4wd which is kind of like AWD but kind of not and I guess saves gas. But I hate it.
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Old 01-04-2012, 01:33 PM
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After haing both, I like to be able to shift into 4wd and 4wd low when I need it. AWD is great for daily drivers who know nothing. Just my 2 cents. Even in the North East, I seldom use 4 wheel drive. No need to have AWD and all of the components spinning all the time. I like the front end look of the LTZ over the Denali but that is also opinion.



Originally Posted by handfulz28
Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.
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Old 01-04-2012, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by handfulz28
Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.
I've owned both and prefer the electronic shiftable 4WD over the the Denali's AWD. Best I ever got highway with my Denali XL was 15.8 MPG. All around driving it was always in the 12's.
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Old 01-04-2012, 07:18 PM
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Remember with the AWD there is usually no 4WD Low.
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Old 01-04-2012, 08:45 PM
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The 6.2 has a bunch of power. Gets up and goes for an SUV but the gas mileage is terrible. I put 100k on a 5.3 and never once had a problem with it. We need to know what kind of weight you will be towing? Jeff Wurl
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